On 5 February, the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has published an updated list of candidates for members of the CEC. Although the number of candidates is the same – 14 persons for 13 vacant seats – some names have changed.

Civil Network OPORA informs that it has refused from participation in public event “Independent analysis, cooperation with the government, and support of the reforms: why analytical centers matter in modern Ukraine”, which will be conducted in Kyiv on 30 January 2018.

Most of the candidates for members of the Central Election Commission support the guaranteeing of electoral rights for all citizens including internally displaced persons. They have announced such position on a public discussion “New Quality of the CEC”, organized by the Civil Network OPORA.

The Central Election Commission has scheduled the first local elections in 40 united territorial communities in 17 oblasts of Ukraine for 29 April 2018. The corresponding decision was taken on February 16 meeting.

Candidates for members of the Central Election Commission want to change the ideology of the CEC, increase its openness and transparency, and improve electoral legislation. These motives for employment in the Central Election Commission were presented by candidates from parliamentary factions and groups of MPs during the public discussion “New Quality of the CEC”, held by the Civil Network OPORA on February 7.

On 23 January 2018, the President of Ukraine has announced on the meeting with VRU Chairman Andrii Parubii that he has signed the submission on appointment of Central Election Commission members. The President has also signed a resignation letter for CEC members, whose term of office has expired. According to the Press-service of the President of Ukraine, the submission contains 14 persons, while only 13 CEC members should be substituted. Members of the CEC Oleh Dydenko and Kateryna Makhnytska were appointed in April 2014, and their seven-year term hasn't expired yet. The President's submission concerning withdrawal and appointment of the CEC members is a step towards renewal of the higher-level election commission. However, political subjects should make an extra effort to create a politically balanced membership.

OPORA's long-term observers are providing an independent non-partisan observation of the first local elections in united territorial communities on 24 December 2017, except for electoral processes in Kyiv and Khmelnytsk oblasts. OPORA observed key stages of the election process, including the election day on 24 December 2017. OPORA didn't deploy a network of short-term observers at election precincts, providing a narrow observation.

Observers of Civil Network OPORA haven't noticed any violations during the 24 December election day in united territorial communities, which could have affected the voting process or the election results with the scale or consequences. Most of the detected issues and incidents were caused by unprofessionalism or low competence of PEC members.

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